Iñaki Williams Prepares for Supercopa Clash Against Barcelona

Iñaki Williams took on the role of captain ahead of the Supercopa semifinal, where Athletic Club will face Barcelona on Wednesday in Yedal. A week ago, the player expressed discontent with the venue, stating that “going to play in Arabia is a hassle.” However, he adopted a more measured tone in his recent comments, adhering to the respectful protocol recommended by the club.

“Given the circumstances, it’s important to be careful with our words. The term I used was not appropriate, but it remains a concern for our fans. I aimed to express my opinion. The coach, who has more experience, spoke with me before I faced the press and advised me to mitigate the situation. While I acknowledge my delivery could have been better, I do not regret my stance. Not having our supporters present makes it different from playing the tournament in Spain,” he clarified.

The elder Williams brother demonstrated ambition, stating, “We have come to win. I understand that people may not know much about Athletic and recognize the league mainly through teams like Barcelona or Real Madrid, but we are capable. We will put up a fight. As the underdogs among the four teams, this position can work to our advantage and allow us to surprise others.” He recalled Athletic’s victory in 2021 when they were similarly underestimated. “Being seen as the Cinderella team is beneficial for us, and we are eager to replicate that surprise as we aim for a 2026 filled with confidence,” he mentioned, highlighting the need to adapt to Barcelona’s style of play, which requires exploiting space.

Williams expressed enthusiasm about competing for the title, saying, “Competing for a trophy is always special, and representing Athletic is a privilege. We aim to achieve this. We’ve done it once by winning the Supercopa against Real Madrid and Barcelona. We want our fans to feel connected to us, and we are determined to pursue this goal.” He dismissed the significance of recent team dynamics, stating, “Football is about momentum, but when a team appears to struggle, it eventually finds a way to rebound, and ours needs to do so soon. One always dreams of being the next Athletic captain to lift a trophy. I feel prepared and eager to continue dreaming and supporting the team.”